Dennis DeYoung – Media Entertainment Center – Medina MN – March 5th 2016
The music of Styx should be familiar to anyone growing during the mid-1970’s and 1980’s. The unmistakable voice behind the bands most memorable hits belongs to iconic singer Dennis DeYoung. This current tour made a stop at Medina Entertainment Center on March 5th. DeYoung asked for a show of hands from those who were seeing him live for the very first time. He playfully responded, “well what are you waiting for, I’m 69 years old.” You’d never have guessed it based on his ambitious stage presence and “straight off the record” vocal performance.
Dennis DeYoung has assembled the perfect cast of gifted players. Including his wife Suzanne on backing vocals. She helps reinterpret the music of Styx. That is what he refers to as the second stage of his solo career. Early on, Lady and Lorelei enabled DeYoung to showcase his superior pipes. This was without having to transpose down to a lower key. That’s impressive. Fooling Yourself included a fierce keyboard solo. It’s a reminder of how important his skills on a classic Oberheim were to the Styx sound. Of course Babe was a standout and crowd favorite.
The biggest song of the evening is saved for last. Yes, it’s Come Sail Away. DeYoung seemed sincere when expressing that he had a good time playing that night. He also graciously thanked the audience for coming out during challenging economic times and seemed genuine in his sentiment. It was evident with a show of this caliber that surely sparked old memories while also creating new ones, the audience went home satisfied.
Set List:
Grand Illusion – Lady – Lorelei – Blue Collar Man – Desert Moon – Mr. Roboto – Too Much Time On My Hands – Rockin the Paradise – Don’t Let It End – Babe
Fooling Yourself – Suite Madame Blue – Best of Times
Encore: Renegade – Come Sail Away
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